Solar power is a great way to offset your energy bills. But just how much electricity do solar panels produce, and how many panels will you need to cover your electric bill?
We’ll take a look at what determines the power output of a solar panel, how much they produce, and how many you’ll need to cover your home, business, or farm’s energy bill.
There are a few factors that will impact how much energy a solar panel produces. They include:
Here’s how each plays a role in your solar production.
A solar panel’s power rating is the measurement of the amount of electricity a solar panel will produce. Most solar panels on the market today have a power rating of around 300 to 500 watts.
What determines a solar panel’s power rating? It is impacted by how efficient and how large the solar panel is.
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of the percentage of the sun’s energy that the solar panel can convert into electricity. Today, many high-quality panels are around 20% efficient or more.
Higher efficiency panels mean you can produce more electricity with the same amount of panels, making them a great option for properties with limited space. However, they also come with a higher price tag.
To get a solar panel with the highest power rating, you’ll probably have to opt for a high-efficiency 144-cell panel. These panels can have power ratings of upwards of 500 watts. Smaller 120-cell options will likely come in at around 350 to 400 watts.
The last factor to consider when evaluating how much power a solar panel can produce is its environment.
The power rating of your solar panel is based on its performance under standard testing conditions. Standard testing conditions are when all variables that impact production are standardized across the industry, allowing for the equal comparison of different solar panels.
However, rarely will standard testing conditions reflect the actual environment your solar panel is exposed to. Everything from shading to your local weather patterns to the angle it’s installed can impact power production.
One of the most important factors for the power output of your solar panel system is the amount of sunlight it receives. More hours of direct sunlight means more production. But if clouds or shade get in the way, the amount of energy your panels produce will decrease.
There are also consistent seasonal differences. In the northern hemisphere, the days are longer in the summer and shorter in the winter. That means your production will peak near the summer solstice and will be at a low when the days are the shortest in the winter.
Other installation factors can also impact how much power a solar panel can produce. This includes the angle at which they’re tilted.
However, if your roof isn’t pitched to that exact degree or your south-facing roof can’t accommodate enough solar panels, you can still install a cost-effective system. These changes can be relatively modest and made up for by adding just a few extra solar panels.
A 144-cell solar panel on a sunny day in June will produce more than a 120-cell panel on a cloudy day in the winter. However, that’s not the most helpful answer.
Because we’re here to help, we will share some averages for various panels. Just note that these numbers are broad estimates and won’t reflect every situation.
The above chart reflects how much electricity just one solar panel can produce. But if you’re looking to install a solar energy system, you’ll have more than one panel.
The size of your solar system will vary depending on your electric bill, the area you have available to install it in, and your specific energy goals. However, here’s an estimate that shows how many solar panels you may need to offset your electricity bill based on the solar panel’s power output.
As you can see, a system composed of panels with a lower power output can get quite large. And while they may be less expensive on a per-panel basis, you’ll have to buy significantly more. You’ll also have to have a place to install all those panels physically.
Your solar installer will find the right balance between panel amount and panel cost during your system’s design.
It’s essential to know just how much electricity your solar system will produce. However, because there are so many variables to consider, this blog gives a broad overview of the type of production you can expect to see.
With a quote from an experienced solar installer, you’ll get a much more specific look. They’ll measure all the variables and consider for critical your energy and financial goals to design your optimal system. They should also provide a breakdown of the cost and cash flow so you can see exactly how beneficial a solar investment can be.
If you're located in the mid-Atlantic region of the US, have our team of solar experts design a system for you that best fits your needs. Click the 'Get A Quote' button above to get started.
Originally posted on October 10, 2019. Updated May 2024.